Flushing-valve mechanism



Nov. 9, 1926.

P. HAAS FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Filed June 2, 9 5

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. HAAS FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Nov. 9 1926.

. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 2 anpwtoz Nov. 9 1926; 3 1

, P. HAAs musnme VALVE uscrmusu Filed June 2, 1925- 3 Sheets-Sheet 3tures hereinafter described, reference being oer, celluloid, or thelike,

Patented Nov. 9, 19262,

rnrmr HAAS, on DAYTON, OHIO.

rLUsHnve-vALvE MECHALTISM,

Application filed June 2,

My invention consists in the vnovel fea had to the accompanyingillustrate one embodiment of the same, selected by me for purposes ofillustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the followingdescription and claims.

invention is to drawings, which ihe object of my provide a flushingvalve mechanism for water closets of the utmost simplicity, which can bemanufactured cheaply and readily installed, and which can be readilyremoved for examination, adjustment, repair or replacement of parts byanyone, as an ordinary householder, and which is absolutely etlicientand reliable in operation. One of the objects af my invention is todispense with the ordinary metallic overflow pipe which is liable tobecome perforated by corrosion below the water line, and produce leakageof water and to substitute therefor an overflow pipe formed of a lightmaterial which is not affected by water and not subject to corrosic-n,preferably such material as hard rub which is interposed in theconnections between the flushing valve and its operating mechanism andextends through the flushing valve and forms a guiding stem for thesame, In the ordinary flushing tank, the usual metallic overflow piperequires a fitting rojecting above the bottom of the tank, andnecessitates the arrangement of the valve seat for the flushing valve at+1,

a distance above the bottom of tank, so that it is impossible tocomdrain the tank, and it is therefore 0 prevent the collection ofsediicl, it is very diilicult .to remove without disconnecting the tank,and which 'u some instances produces unsanitary con- Accordingto mypresent invention, Tispensing with the ordinary overflow 1e andemploying the form of overflow above mentioned, 1 amenabled to locate reflushing valve seat flush with, 'orreven l'phtly below, the bottom ofthe tank.

' efore,the water adjacent to thebottom he tank may flow out at eachflushing tion and the tanlomaybe completely JflhfiQl when desired, sothat the collection sediment is prevented, and in case any sedimentshould collect, it may be very readily removed and the tank thoroughlycleaned, without disconnecting it from its connections. By soarranging-the overflow 7 water past 1925. Serial No. 34,307.

pipe in the manner described, an additional.

capacity is added to the tanks as now made, and thispermitsalso theformation of tanks of'the same capacity as the present tanks and ofapproximately one inch less depth on the sidewall, which effects a veryconsiderable economy in the manufacture of these tanks, especially insolid ceramic ware, and such tanks will also take up a correspondinglyless amount of room in a batln room or toilet. I also employ a flushingvalve of uniquecharacterin this instance, mounted upon the centrallylocated overflow pipe before mentioned, and preferably in the form of ahollow body of flexible material, as rubber, having a flexible andelastic seat engaging portion formed by the lower portions of the hollowwalls to engage the,

,without the use of guides andjconnected with a flexible operatingdevice, as a cord, wire or chain, which in the preferred form of mypending portion, which is connected with theoverflow pipe and anexterior depending portion provided with an operating handle, the valveand its operating connection being so counter-balanced, that the valvewill remain in any position where it may be moved while supported inpart by the water in the tank, in which it is immersed, but as soon asthe support or buoyancy of the water removed from the valve, as theflush tank is emptied, the. weight of the valve and the unitarydepending portion of its operative connection, will be greater thanthat'of the exterior depending portion of the operative connection, sothat the valve will automatically has run out of the tanknfar enough toexreturn to its seat, as soon as the water invention, engages guidingsupports in the 11d of the tank, and includes a unltary de pose thevalve and relieve it of vthe support ner that the seat engaging portionthereof 7.

does not accurately, fit .the flushing valve seat on coming in contacttherewith, thus permitting a slight and restricted leakage of the saidvalve, for the'purpose distorted out of of effecting the after-fill ofthe closet bowl and its seal, such flow or leakage continuing untilwater has accumulated in the tank to a suliicient height so that adownward pressure of the water uponthe flexible wall 0'? the valve willslightly expand the same into perfect contact with the seat and prodrcea tight joint therewith. In some innces, instead of distorting the shapeof the valve, 1 may distort the shape of the valve seat, but in eithercase the operation will he the same. This greatly simplifies theconstruction of the apparatus and does away with the auxiliary pipeusually employed in fiusl'iing tanks to effect what is known as theafter-fill. 7

While it is not essential that the operating connection for the flushingvalve, which is wiolly or in part formed of flexible material, as chain,etc, should be supported by the tank cover, this is my preferredconstruction, as it obviates the necessity of providing supports for thevalve operating mechanism inthe tank, and siinplifiessthe construction,and further, by theremoval of the lid ofthe tank, the entire flushingvalve, overflow pipe, and the operative connections forthe flushingvalve, may be instantly removed for inspection or repair. I also preferto so locate the supports for the operative connections for the flushingvalve on the lid of the'tank, that the tank lid may be raised into anapproximately vertical position and moved toward the center of the tank,and held in that position vwhile the flushing valve isoperated to permitthe observation of the valve under working con ditions, and see that itand its operative connections are properly installed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a sectional view of a flushing tank embodying myinvention, and connected with a closet bowl, the bowl being partlybroken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of the flushing valve and overflow pipe,partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line 33 of Fig. 1, to the overflowpipe, and illus trating the distortion'of the flushing valve withrespect to the valve seat. v V

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the valve seat, flushingvalve andoverflow pipe located centrally thereof.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a modified form of valve seat, formedof rubber or other flexible material.

Fig. seat'which I may employ, the same being a true circle for thepurpose of receiving a valve having a truly "circular seat engagingportion to provide for the after-fill.

-Fig. 7 is a View .representing aflushing tank embodying my inventionhaving the .the closet bowl,

.ting, l is flush with the 6 is a plan view of a metallic valve movedwith the valve, overflow pipe and valve operating device to permit ofinspection or repair, or replacement of parts.

Referring to the drawings, 1, represents pipe, 2, connected with thetank, indicated at 3, which may but which is preferably made,according'to modern'methods, of porcelain and provided with a fitting,indicated at d, for securing it to the flushing pipe. 7 It will be notedby reference particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, that this fitting, 1, isprovided with a flange, at, engaging a counterbore, or recess, 3surrounding the aperture, in the bottom, 3", of the tank, so that theupper face of the litbottom of'the tank, and it may be, if desired, evenslightly below the upper face of thetank bottom, 3 so as to enable thewater adjacent to the bottom to immediately flow out when the flushingvalve is open, draining out all sediment, ordinarily preventing theaccumulation of sediment in the tank, and enabling the tank to bethoroughly cleaned in case any sediment should collect, as where thetank has been allowed to stand for a long period without being used. Thefitting, 4, is also provided with a valve seat, indicated at 6, for theflushing valve, which preferably lies below the level of the upper faceof the tank. 7 represents the water inlet pipe, which is connected witha suitable litting, indicated at 8, with a vertical pipe," 9, providedat its upper end with a float inlet valve, 10, controlling the dischargeof water into the tank, through a downwardly extending pipe, 11, underthe control of a float, indicated at 81, and a float lever, indicated at23, in any usual or well known manner. As the inlet valve mechanismforms no part of my present in vention, it will not be further or moreparticularly described, except to say that when the float is raised, asS1OW11 in Fig. i, the

inlet valve is closed, and when the float descends, the inlet valve isopened,'the normal water'level being indicated in dotted lines inFig. 1. Myimproved flushing valve is indicated as a whole'at 33, and inits preferred. form comprises a hollow body formed of flexible rubber,open at the upper end and tapering at its lower end to provide theconical seat engaging portion, 83, The valve is provided with a centralaperture therethrough surrounded by an interior sleeve, indicated at 35,the outer flexible wall of the valve being indicated at 34, and in orderto give sufiicient strength to the outer wall without too greatlyaffecting its resilience, I prefer to provide a plurality of providedwith the flushing be of any suitable material,-

' or corrosion.

radial webs, indicated at 36," connecting the The upper-portion of theoverflow pipe, sleeve, 35, with the outer wall, 34:. The 5, is providedwith overflow apertures, 5",

outer wall, 34, preferably extends somewhat above the sleeve, 35,although this'is not essential, and the upper portion of said wall ispreferably provided at its inner face with a plurality of annular beads,indicated at 38, which form guides in case it is desirable to decreasethe holding capacity of the valve in securing the desired balance of thevalve and its operating connection.

represents the overflow pipe, which is preferably formed of a very lightmaterial, not affected by water, and not liable to rust 1 preferablyemploy for this purpose, celluloid, but other materials, such as hardrubber, bakelite, or the like may be used, or any other material whichis suitable for the purpose. The overflow pipe extends down through thevalve and fits within the sleeve, 35, as shown in the drawing, andextends below the same 'a distance far enough so that when the valve israised to its highest position, the depending portion, 5, of theoverflow pipe will not be removed from within the valve seat so thatthis portion of the overflow pipe below the valve serves to prevent thevalve from getting out of operative relation with its seat. The lowerend of the tube or pipe, 5, is preferably curved inwardly, as shown at 5so as to prevent it from catching at any pro ect-' ing portions of thefitting in the vertical a distorted valve pressure exerted expand theflexible side walls. 34, they will tight joint, to stop movements of thevalve. VVhe'n the valve is connected with the overflow pipe, it willordinarily be held trictionally thereon, but it may be screwed theretoif desired,'and in any case, I. prefer to so construct the valve thatwhen it is connected with the overflow pipe in the manner shown in Figs.1, 2 and 3. for example, portions of the lateral wall, 3a, will bedeflected out of a true circle adjacent to the seat engaging portion, 33thereof, as clearly indicated at X in Fig. 3, so that when the valvefirst seats, it will permit a leak of water between it and. the seat atone or. more places (3 places as shown in Fig. 3), to accomplish theafterflll of the bowl, while the water is accumir' lating in the tank,and as soon as the water reaches a suflicient height for the from withinthe valve to so expand and make a any further leakage and remain in thisposition until the nextrflushing action. In some instances, instead ofmaking the valve with distorted walls.

I may make the seat engaging portion of the valve truly circular incross section. and provide the fitting with a" Fig. 6, in which providedwith distorted valve seat, as in the fltting, indicated at 104, 1S

trated in Fig. 3.

additional seat, 106, for the same pur-- pose, but I prefer theconstruction 1llllS- in the manner shown in Fig.

preferably located slightly above the normal water level in the tank,and I also prefer to provide the upper end of the overflow pipe\vith'means for connecting it with the valve operating flexibleconnections. As the flexible connections I prefer to employ a ballchain, and this may be readily connected to the overflow pipe byproviding a vertical slot, indicated at 5 above one of the waterapertures, 5", of a width suflicient to receive one of the link bars, 45of the flexible chain or connection, l5; This chain or flexibleconnection, 45, extends from the upper end guide formed by providing aglazed and flared aperture, L6, in a web, 44:, provided on the undersideof the tank lid, 50, the said lid having a depending edge portion whichis provided with a similarly glazed and flared aperture, 47, from whichthe chain depends, as indicated, and is provided with a suitable handle,49. The flexible connection, which may be of flexible material, eitherin whole or in part, as preferred, so long as the portions engaging theaperture. 46' and 47, are of flexible material adapted to pass easilyover the glazed surface of the support, thus provides an internaldepending portion, 45, and an external depending portion, 4l5. Y i Itwill be understood that when thedevice is in operation, the valve willbe fllled with water and the valve and the portion of the overflow pipewill be immersed in water. The valve and overflow pipe, and the flexibleconnection, 45, are so constructed and ar ranged that when the valve andoverflow pipe are submerged and a part of their weight is buoyed up bythe surrounding water in the tank, said parts and the interior dependingportion, 45 will substantially balance the exterior depending portion,i5, so that the valve will remain in any position to which it is movedwhile the weight of the valve and the overflow pipe, when deprive-d toprovide a firm and easy bearing to engage the was ier on opposite sidesof the internal port-ion 4-5, of the chain, I prefer to provide 'theweb, 44, with a lateral projection, i lshown in Figs. 7 and 8, indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The parts being constructedand arranged l, for example,

off the overflow pipe through a porcelain valve and oven and the tankbeing filled with water to the level indicated by the dotted line,'theflushing valve will be held firmly seated by the tion of their weight,and in suchposition their weight will be practically counterbalanced bythe exterior portion, 45, of the i'lexi le connection, so that the valvewill remain in raised position, the water flowing out through the pipe,2, to the closet bowl, and effecting the flushing action. hen the waterhas beendischarged so as to bring the water level below the valve, thevalve and the overflow pipe, 5, are deprived of the buoyancy or supportof the water and their entire weight, together with the weight of theamount or" water contained within the valve, 33, will be applied to theinterior depending portion, 45 of the chain or flexible connection, andwill be suflicient to overcome the weight of the exterior dependingportion, 45 The valve will, therefore, de-

, scend upon its seat and close the flushing 'tlow discharged until thenext operation of the when exposed and relieved of outlet, but as thevalve and seat do not per- :tectly coincide, there will be aslightleakage of water between the valve and seat, for example, asindicated at the points marked X, in Fig. 3, which will continue longenough to effect what is termed the afterfill of the bowl and its seal,the water level rising in the meantime within the tank. -i fhen thewater level arrives at such a height that the additional pressure of thewater above the valve distends the elastic sides, 3st, of the valve, andcauses them to lit perfectly upon the seat, this after-fill will cease,and no further water will be valve. If the valve descends too quicklythe buoyant effect of the water, it can be made to descend more slowlyby decreasing the amount of water which remains in the valve. This canreadily be accomplished by cutting off the marginal portion of the wall,34, following one of the ribs, 38, which forms a guide in so cuttingdown the wall. If it. should become necessary to add weight to the valvein order to secure its proper descent after the water has receded fromit, this may be accomplished by placing one or more washers on top ofthe valvesurrounding the overflow pipe, 5. in Fig. 2, for example, Ihave shown one such washer at 15. I wish it to be understood, also, thatI may, in some instances increase the weight of the exterior dependingportion of the flexible connecconstruction, therefore,

tion. A convenient means for doing this is to make the handle, 49,hollow, and insert small pellets of lead, or rather suitable material,indicated at 16, in Fig. 7, for example. This or other convenient meansmay be employed for securing the proper relative wights, which areeasily secured. The frictional resistance of the ball chain over theglazed walls of the supporting apertures in the lid is very slight, andsuch friction as merely causes quietly and easily upon provided itmerely moves laterally and shifts the valve slightly on its seat w thoutoltermg any material resistance being subjected to injurious strain. As

T a l before stated prefer to make the overflow pipe, 5, of celluloid,which is extremely strong and durable and not affected by water, andalso inexpensive. It can be readily molded in the form desired. My noveleliminates metal parts, i. .e., the overflow pipe and its supportingaction which were liable to corrosion and breakage. It will also'benoted that the overflow pipe, 5, extends above the water level so thatall parts of the flexible connection or chain are above the water andnot subject to corrosion or rust. An additional advantage of my improvedconstruction is that should the water level rise above the normaldesired water level in the tank and high enough to reach theapertures, 5in the overflow pipe, the water will be conducted straight down throughthecenter of the valve to and through the oischarge pipe, 2, and therewill be no opportunity to clog as in the old construction, in which thepassages from the vertical portion of the overflow pipe through thefitting at the bottom of the tank were of tortuous chara'ter and more orless easily clogged and impeded. In adjusting the valve mechanism, itwill be noted that by standing the lid on edge, as indicated in Fig. 7,on the top of the tank, and moving it forward to the center of the tank,the valve may be operated in order to determine its adjustment andefiiciency as the flexible connection will be held in an operativecondition with the tank lid in this position. As before stated,

should it be desired to remove the valve or pipe in the pipe,

In my improved construction, if theoverliow pipe s struck inspect it, ormake repairs or replacements, the entire valve'with the overflow pipeand valve actuating connection can'be lifted off bodily with the lid andin the same manner these parts can be readily removed to give access tothe tank for cleaning the same should it become necessary, or for therepair of the inlet valve, or other tank connections.

In some instances 1 may employ a yield ing valve seat of rubber or othersuitable material fitted in the flushing orifice in the bottom of thetank and adapted to engage the valve, and in such case the said seat orthe valve, or both, may be formed out of true so as to normally contactonly at separated points and leave spaces through which water may leakand perform the function of the after-fill during the first portion ofthe refilling of the tank. In such case the valve may be made of rigidor semi-rigid material, as molded rubber, or even hard rubber or metal,if preferred, and secured to the centrally located overflow pipe bycementing or other preferred manner. Thus, in Fig. 5, I have shown sucha construction in which,'233, represents the valve or" rigid .orsemi-rigid material, provided with the centrally located overflow pipe,205, V the valve having seat engaging portions for 1 engaging a flexiblevalve seat, 206 formed in'a collar, 206, of rubber having an annularportion, 206, exending into the-interior ot the metal fitting, 20l, towhich the discharge or flushing pipe is connected in the usual manner,th shoulder, 206, to engage the upper surface of the fitting, 204E, andsaid fitting is preferably provided on its interior with lugs, 20 9, forengaging the lower edge of the portion, 206*, and further supporting thecollar and valve seat. As before stated, either the valve or thecollar,be distorted so as to-provide for the afterfill, as previouslydescribed, until the tank becomes filled to a certain point when thepressure of water exerted. the valve will cause the flexible valve seatto yield and tightly engage the valve.

In some instances I find it convenient also a to provide means forloosely guiding the flushing valve in its vertical movements within thetank, and in Fig. 7 'for example, I have shown the fitting,4, providedwith tour vertically extending guide pins,

fitting, and arranged so as in its movements, In such case itjwill notbe necessary to extend the pipe, 5, below the bottom of the valve, andthe lower portion, 5 may therefore bedispensed with, if desired.

It will be noted that, as shown in Fig. 7, the portions of the fittingsurrounding the valve seat, between the guiding rods, 25', are flush t vh 'bQttQm at.

e said collar having a or both, may 1 downwardly 'on v or rods, 25,securedat intervals around said to guide the valve the ankrau the,

tankwill therefore and prevent the collection of sedlment, as beforedescribed.

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Lettiers Patent is':-

l. The combination with a flushing tank provided with a flushing outletand flushing valve seat, of a valve formed of yielding material and theother of substantially rigid material, and being so formed as to leavespace between the valve and seat when engaged without pressure, and tobe forced into water tight engagement by the pressureot the water in thetank above said valve, whereby when said valve is closed after aflushing operation, the said space will provide-tor the after-fill ofthe closet bowl and the valve will is filled and operative connectionsfor said valve.

2. The combination with, a flushing tank provided with a flushing outletand valve seat,- of e a valve having yielding seat engaging portions,said valve and seat being so constructed as to'leave space be tween themwhen engaged without pressure, to provide for the after-fill of thebowl, and to be brought into accurate water tight "engagement by thepressure of the water in the tank, and operative connections for saidvalve.

3. The combination with a flushing tank,

provided with a fiushing'aperture and valve seat, of a flushing valvehaving seat engaging-portions of soft rubber, said seat and valve beingconstructed so as not to fit accurately when engaged without pressure,and to leave space betweenthem for the passage of water to efiect theafter-fill out the bowl, said valve being forced into accurate watertight engagement with the seat'by the pressure of accumulated water'in.the tank above said valve as the tank fills, and opera-. tiveconnections for said valve.1

a. The combination with a fiushingtank provided with a flushing outletand valve seat, of a cup-shaped molded rubber, having thin -flexiblewalls decreasing in horizontal diameter toward the lower end of thevalve and providing seat engaging portions on the exterior of saidwalls, said, valve having a central vertical aperture therein, avertical overflow tubeextending through andirictionally engaging. thecentral aperture of said valve, said' overflow tube being provided withopenings-above and belowfithe valve (and forming the stem of the valve,and operative connections for said alve-engaging said overflow tube. i 1

5. The combination with asealing tank provided with an unobstructedflushing out aovho r; ra teiifsre eei. s tsi lded let having avalveseat'atits upper end, of

subsequently seat accu-' rately when the tank drain from the bottom Ifor engaging said seat,sa1d seat and said valve being the one flushingvalve ot soft v i iii) provided with an unobstructed ber and providedwith, thin elastic walls, said valve decreasing in' horizontal diametertoward its lower. end, andproviding a seat engaging portion on theexterior of its hollow walls, capable of operatively engaging the valveseat in different angular positions to the vertical ofsaid valve, saidvalve being provided with acentral vertical aperture therethrough, anoverflow tube of materially less diameter than the valve seat ex:tending through and frictionally engaging said aperture in the valve,and projecting be low said valve, said tubebeing provided with waterapertures, above and belowthe valve, and operative connections for saidvalve connected with said'tubeand freely suspending the tube and valvewhen'the valve is unseated, whereby guides forsaid" valve are dispensedwith and it' will beiseated when closed regardless of theperpendicularity of said tube.

6'. The combination with a flushing-tank flushing outlet having a valveseat at it upper end, of a hollow valve formedof soft'molded rubher andprovided vwith thin elastic walls, said valve decreasing in horizontaldiameter toward its lower 'end, and providing a seat engaging portion onth'eexterior of its hollow walls, capable ofoperatively engaging thevalve seatin different angular positions to the vertical of said valve,saidvalve being provided with a central vertical aperture therethrouglnan overflow tube of ma terially less diameter than the valve seatextending through and frictionally engaging said aperture inithe valve,and projecting below said valve, said tube being provided withwater-apertures above and below the valve, and operative connections forsaid valve connected with said'tube and freely suspending the tube andvalve when the valve 1s. unseated, whereby guides. for said valve aredispensed with 'andit will be seated when closed regardless of theperpendicularity of said tube, andimeans for arresting the upwardmovement of said tube and valve before the lower end of said tube israised above the level of'the valve seat, so

that pendulous'inovement of the valve and tubeproduced bytheintroduction of water into the tank will not interfere with the seatingofthe valve'wlien closed v 7; The combinationrwith a flushing tankprovided with" a' flushing ;outl et and" valve seat therefor,- of ahollowrvalve for engaging said] seat open at iii-supper end, and. provided with a" flexible wall, said" valve when in normal po'sitioncbeingso constructedfthat the" seat en'gagir'igportion of 1 saidfl'xibl wallof the valve makes contact "at separated' portions,-; only leavingspaces 1: for 1 leakage of water-to eaten the,"after-fill ofthe'oloset'bowlfduringport-ion:'ofttlrejrefillingx pf the "tank; thepressurebf#"tlie* water wlielr- 7 provided" with:

connected with the upper endofsaid tube.

9. Thecombination with a flushing tank provided wither-flushing outletand seat, of a cup-shaped flushing valve formed of soft molded rubber,wall, a portion'of the exterior face of which formsthe'seat engagingportion of the valve, said valve having central aperture at its lowerend and an exterioraxial sleeve extending vertically from said aperture,an overflow tube extending through and friction'ally engagingsaidsleeveand aperture,

the said seat and the seat" engaging portions of said valve being soconstructed that they do not fit accurately when engaged withoutpressureleaving space between them to effect-the after-fill of the bowl,the pressure of-water in the tank above the valve being effective todistend thewalls of said valve into water tight engagement with theseat,

and operative connections for the valve connected with said overflowtube.

10. The combination with a flushing tank provided with a flushing outletand seat, of a-cup-shaped flushing valve formed of soft molded rubber,provided with a flexible wall, a port-ion of theexterior face of whichforms-theseat*engaging'portion of the valve, said valve having acentralaperture at its lower end and anexterior axial sleeve extendingvertically from said aperture, an overflow tube extending through andfrictionally 'engagingsaid sleeve andaperture, the said seat and seatengaging portions, of the valve-being constructed sdasnot to fitaccurately when engaged without pressure, andisaid 'valve being radialwebs of rubber extending between the interior sleeveandfithe flexiblewall-0f the" lac valve connected with gage'inent 'witlf said' seat:

seat, of

provided with a. flexible provided with integral molded rubber providedwith a central aperture therein, a vertically disposed overflow tubeextending through and frictionally engaging said aperture in the valve,said valve having'flexible walls, the exterior of which provide the saidengaging portions of the valve, operative connections for said valveincluding depending portions within the tank connected with said tube,and depending portions outside of the tank, the weight of the valve. itscontents of water, the overflow tube and the depending portions of saidconnect-ions within the tank will be substantially counterbalanced bythe depending portions of said connections outside of the tank when thevalve is sub merged. 12. The combination with a flushing tank providedwith a flushing aperture and valve seat, of a flushing valve forengaging said seat, valve operating means including flexible portions,extending from the vvalve to the exterior of the tank, a movable coverfor the tank provided with supporting means for engaging the flexibleportions of said valve operating means, said cover and its supportingportions being so constructed that the cover may be removed togetherwith the valve and its operative connections, without disassemblingthem.

7 Thecombination with a flushing tank provided with a flushing apertureand valve seat, of a flushing valve for engaging said seat. valveoperating means includ ing flexible portions, extending from the valveto the exterior of the tank, a movable cover for the tank provided withsupporting means for engaging the flexible portions of said valveoperating means, said cover and its supporting portions being soconstructed that the cover may be removed together with the valve andits operative connections,

means being of such length that by supportingthe cover vertically on theupper edge of the tank above said valve and seat, the

valve may be operatedby said operating means and its operation observed.

3A. The combination with a flush tank pending portion,

without disassembling them, said flexible portions of the valveactuating provided with a discharge aperture, and

valve seat, or a hollow flushing valve com posed of rubber and having aflexible wall, the exterior portions of which form the seat engagingportionv of seat engaging portions being constructed so as to normallyengage the seat at separated the valve, said portions and provided forthe leakage of water past the valve to effect the after-fill of thecloset bowl during a portion of the refilling oi the tank, a verticallyd sposed overflow pipe extending through said valve and provided at itslower end'with a discharge aperture, and ad acent toits upper end withan overflow aperture, a flexible connection for operating the valvehaving an interior depending portion connected with said overflow tube,and an exterior desaid tank being provided with means Ior supportingintermediate portions or" said flexible connection, said exteriorportion of the flexible connection and the 1nterior portion of saidflexible connection, said tube and said valve being in a substantiallybalanced condition valve and adjacent portion of the overflow tube aresubmerged, the pressure of water within the tank when full distendingthe flexible wall of said valve into complete engagement with the valveseat.

15. The combination with a flush tank, provided with a dischargeaperture, and a valve seat, of a hollow flushing valve for engaging saidseat, said seat and said valve being, the one formed of flexiblematerial, and the other of substantially rigid material, and beingconstructed to normally engage each other at separated points, so as toprovide aspace between them to eilect the after-fill of the closet bowlthrough a portion of the refilling of the tank, the pressure of thewater upon said valve when the tank is substantially filled serving tobring the valve and seat into water tight contact, and operating withsaid valve. y

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. I

PHILIP Haas.

when the devices connected

